Use Kinect to Surf Through Netflix

Microsoft recently released an update for the Netflix app on the Xbox 360. The update introduces Netflix Hub, where you can control Netflix with the Kinect. As exciting as the update is, however, the features are currently limited. Check out our first impressions, after the jump.

When you first launch the Netflix app on your Xbox 360, it prompts you with an update. After updating, you’ll notice the new Kinect microphone icon on the bottom right of your screen next to the Xbox logo. To enter Kinect’s Netflix Hub, you can either use voice control by saying “Xbox, Netflix Hub,” or simply wave your hand until the Kinect hand icon appears on the bottom right.

At the moment, there isn’t a whole lot you can do with Netflix Hub. Once you’re on its home screen, it only shows a few pages of “Suggestions for You” (the suggested list changes each time you enter Netflix Hub). To navigate through its few pages, you can either swipe back and forth or say, “Xbox, next/previous.” To select a video through voice control, after saying “Xbox,” a caption will appear under each title: Video 1, Video 2, etc. Instead of saying the actual show or movie titles, you simply say “Xbox” followed by the video number. The voice controls for Netflix Hub are surprisingly accurate and quick. The full motion controls, however, aren’t as easy to navigate (especially when sitting down).

Once you get to the final third page, at the very end is a “Browse All” box. After selecting “Browse All,” it was disappointing to see that all it does is take you right back to the standard Netflix app homepage instead of being able to browse through Netflix titles with the Kinect. As bare bones as Netflix Hub is, hopefully we’ll see an update soon where we’ll be able to look through all the actual titles.